Zipp Enters MTB Wheel Market with Carbon Rim Designed to Deflect 4

Zipp’s new 3ZERO MOTO carbon 27.5 and 29 enduro/trail wheelset is inspired by moto to provide riders with the control and durability required for pure speed.

INSPIRATION FROM MOTO. PROGRESSION FROM INDY.

Moto remains a powerful source of inspiration for good reason. Based in the racing hotbed of Indianapolis, Zipp for more than three decades has used motorsports as an inspiration to develop pioneering carbon cycling innovations. Our single-wall approach, what we call Moto Technology™, allows the rims to “pivot” from either side of the spoke bed while traversing rough terrain.

As the wheel encounters obstacles, each edge of the rim is designed for compliance, creating the feel of extra suspension. For the rider that means durability and control for greater speed:

• Higher impact resistance
• Reduced chance of pinch flatting
• More traction in rough corners
• Smoother ride in rocky terrain
• Ability to run lower tire pressure
• Reduced rider fatigue

TESTED BY THE WORLD’S FASTEST

For the last two years we’ve had prototypes and successive versions of the 3ZERO MOTO under the fastest riders in the world. Enduro MTB rider Adrien Dailly raced them to their first EWS podium in France, and enduro legend Jérôme Clementz recorded the first win in New Zealand. With their help, plus reams of honest feedback from our test riders, we’ve arrived at the transformation of the mountain bike wheel for the speed-obsessed.

Our test riders are saying they have a lot less fatigue and arm pump and are not feeling vibrations of trail coming up through the handlebars. “Those wheels feel like I have an extra inch of travel,” Clementz said. This isn’t just on-the-trail marketing. It’s Zipp’s product development protocol. We test concepts for all riding styles, from those who are super smooth to those who may just case a jump now and then.

STIFFNESS: PERCEPTION VS. REALITY

While other wheel brands limit their focus to traditional box-section rim designs, Zipp engineers - uninhibited by legacy technology - wiped the white board clean. All the best ideas eventually pointed to motorsports inspiration and Moto Technology’s single-wall rim as the optimal approach for an enduro/trail wheelset.

The 3ZERO MOTO’s stiffness, compliance and durability comes from Zipp’s proprietary process to design and assemble rim, hub, and spokes. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheel is built as a system, its ZM1 hubset and 32 spokes and handmade carbon rim all integrate to play key roles in performance. Look at a cross section of the 3ZERO MOTO and you can see the difference right away. It’s a quantum jump from the typical and limiting box-section design that bicycle wheels have always used–our moto-inspired design allows the fastest trail riders on earth to fly over the roughest terrain imaginable with speed and control like never before.

HOW IT WORKS:

Lateral stiffness — In a sharp turn, the rim remains stiff, providing confidence that the wheel is firmly planted.  Zipp’s wide hub flanges provide better spoke-bracing angles which help to increase the lateral stiffness.

Torsional windup — When torque is applied to the rear hub when pedaling, you don’t want the spokes to create a spring-like flex sapping your wattage. Having 32 spokes at the right tensions keep the wheel constrained during windup, meaning the energy in your legs is efficiently transferred to your rear wheel. 

Radial compliance — When you hit a rock, the system is designed to act as a shock absorber. Zipp’s MOTO Technology allows the rim to flex, which absorbs the impact energy and spreads it away from the impact zone for increased durability. In essence, more of the rim carries the load from the impact.

“Ankle” compliance — Imagine a runner rounding a sharp turn, the ankle naturally flexing to maintain grip as the runner leans. The rim can locally flex to stay parallel to the ground during cornering, which increases traction much like a human ankle. This ability to twist locally allows it to deflect during single bead impacts without the rider getting bounced off line.

Durability and ride quality — 3ZERO MOTO rim strength exceeded our expectations for impact resistance due to MOTO Technology compliance. As for ride quality, the wheel also deflected three times more than top rival box-section carbon wheels. That extra compliance behaves like extra suspension, but it also spreads the impact energy over a larger area. This also benefits the rider in the form of pinch flat prevention.

The benefits of all that are simple. More control. Fewer line deviations. Greater durability. Fewer pinch flats. The net gain? Pure speed.

TRANSFORM YOUR RIDE WITH PRECISE PRESSURE

In enduro, 2 to 4 psi one way or the other can greatly influence speed, comfort and traction.

Now, you have real-time tire pressure data thanks to the integration of Quarq’s TyreWiz™ in every 3ZERO MOTO wheel. TyreWiz is the world’s first AXS app-based tire-pressure monitoring device. It shows riders exactly what pressure their tires are at through their smartphone or head unit with ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy radio capabilities. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset includes TyreWiz as a standard integrated feature*, helping riders dial-in precise and optimal pressure for every trail condition. TyreWiz syncs the data, using the AXS app, it tracks with extremely accurate sensors that deliver + or – 2% pressure accuracy, all the way down to 0 psi. 

*For rim-only sales, TyreWiz is available separately for $200 per set.

LIFETIME WARRANTY

We are that confident in the durability that MOTO Technology provides. Each 3ZERO MOTO wheelset or rim includes a lifetime warranty for product issues that happen during your gnarliest Trail or Enduro use.*

*Product registration required. Original owner only, non-transferable. Proof of purchase required. Covers defects in materials or workmanship. Rim damage is covered in indented use situations (Trail/Enduro). Neglect and misuse are not covered. ‘Life Happens’ pricing structure for situations where warranty does not cover the damage.

FRUSTRATION-FREE TIRE INSTALLATION

We all know what it can be like trying to stretch new tires over certain wheels. And with the added complexity that comes when also trying to install a tire insert, the process can get the better of even the strongest or most skilled. That is why the 3ZERO MOTO has been designed to make this process as easy as possible. No tools or help from friends are needed thanks to a rim profile and spoke-bed strip designed to make mounting and airing up tubeless tires the way it should be: Dead simple.

WANT JUST THE RIMS? YOU GOT IT

We believe the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, and the 3ZERO MOTO complete wheelset embodies this philosophy. But we’re also offering the option to purchase 3ZERO MOTO rims alone. We realize there are many hub choices on the market today, riders have particular preferences or arrangements—3ZERO MOTO rims can be part of myriad possible custom-build combinations. 

FULLY PINNED AESTHETICS

We find structures that deliver unrivaled performance to be the most beautiful. Indeed, beyond its performance function, our carbon layup pattern also has a form factor that looks as sweet as it works. Add to this our new Speed Line™ graphics in your choice of 8 colors, and you’ve got a wheel with high performance aesthetics.

Inspired by Moto. Control + Durability = Speed.

EACH WHEELSET INCLUDES:

• Speed Line™ Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
• TyreWiz™ – Integrated tire pressure monitoring system 
• Tubeless valve – factory installed 
• Tubeless rim tape – factory installed 
• ZM1 hub with Double Time™ Technology provides 52 points of engagement
• End caps: 15/110 front and 12/148 rear (Front wheel includes 21mm Standard and 31mm RockShox® Torque Caps)

EACH RIM-ONLY INCLUDES:

• Speed Line™ Graphics – choice of 8 colors (Silver, Stealth, RS Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Teal or Blue)
• Tubeless valve
• Rim strip and tubeless rim tape
• Washers

WEIGHTS

27.5-inch
1825g (wheelset)
850g (front)
975g (rear)

29-inch
1910g (wheelset)
895g (front)
1015g (rear)

PRICING

WHEELSET MSRP: $ 1999  /  € 2099  /  £1875
RIM-ONLY MSRP: $ 700  /  € 750  /  £ 670
RETAIL AVAILABILITY: April 2019

For more information, head on over to: www.zipp.com.

SPECIFICATIONS

ZIPP FACTORY TOUR

Curious about where and how the Zipp wheels are made? Keep reading!

At Zipp, the innovation is under one roof. Advanced development, engineering, testing, and manufacturing all happen in our Indianapolis facility, opened in 2010 just a few miles from Zipp’s longtime home in Speedway, Indiana.

Zipp’s history and passion for innovation in the days ahead is the first thing visitors see when arriving at our facility on the Northwest side of Indianapolis. The office also serves as an important hub of activity for Zipp’s corporate parent, including SRAM Customer Service and Dealer Service Direct centers.

Few are permitted entrance to “The Nest,” Zipp’s in-house advanced development lab. Headed by engineer Michael Hall, Zipp’s AD is focused on product cycles years in the making. They have a small-sized factory within The Nest space to design and manufacture next-generation prototypes.

It all starts on the carbon cutting table.

Zipp’s Indianapolis facility includes a full test lab where wheels are pushed to and beyond their limits as part of the development process. These tests destroy early prototypes but yield valuable information on how to make higher performing, more durable wheels.

Zipp process engineer Simon Marshall is one of the people who worked on the 3ZERO MOTO project. Marshall, a native of London, spent years working in motorsports including as a chief car designer of Gil de Ferran’s Indianapolis victory in 2003 and Buddy Rice’s in 2004.

Each 3ZERO MOTO rim is hand inspected before being laced with spokes.

3ZERO MOTO wheels are handmade, including spoke lacing and wheel building, to exact specification ensure that the rim, hub, and build all work together as a wheel system to ensure the wheelset’s durability and performance. Spoke-hole drilling of carbon rims requires precision. Zipp has invested in state-of-the-art equipment and processes over the years to ensure the highest durability and quality.

Nic James carries a unique job title: Zipp master wheel builder. For years, Nic built the wheels used by Zipp-sponsored professional cycling teams and athletes. He’s broadened his role to work our Zipp’s advanced development team to build prototype wheels to ensure the concepts the engineers come up with can be built into wheels. 

Spokes made ready for lacing into a 3ZERO MOTO wheel. Having 32 spokes at the right tensions keep the wheel constrained during windup, meaning the energy in your legs is efficiently transferred to your rear wheel.

The 3ZERO MOTO features a new-look Zipp logo decal hand applied before being boxed up and shipped out.

Each Zipp wheel goes through a detailed inspection for quality and cosmetics. Zipp uses a computerized system to track each rim through the entire manufacturing process to ensure consistency and quality.

With the 3ZERO MOTO, Zipp is introducing a new customer product registration program to better serve our customers and ensure they receive proper warranty coverage and customer service.

Zipp’s 3ZERO MOTO starts as strips of carbon fiber hand molded into a rim. Each rim goes through hours of work and inspection before being laced up and shipped out of our Indianapolis factory.

Todd Winget, shown working on a 3ZERO Moto wheel, is Zipp’s longest-serving employee, joining in 1992. He remembers the days when Zipp wheels were made in the same shop as its parent company’s carbon fiber auto-racing wings and other parts.

Zipp’s 80,000 square foot factory in Indianapolis also serves as a Zipp and SRAM warehouse, shelf after shelf stocked with wheels and components to serve the needs of cyclists.

Photos by Zipp, Adrian Marcoux, and Joe Vondersaar